In December 2009, the explosive growth of tourism, with consequences for both the ecology and the safety of the travellers in its great and remote wilderness, was noted at a conference in New Zealand by experts from signatories to the Antarctic Treaty. The definitive results of the conference would be presented at the Antarctic Treaty states' meeting in Uruguay in May 2010 [5].

Antarctica is a land of extremes: it is the
coldest and driest continent on Earth and has the highest average
elevation. As the fifth largest continent in the world, Antartica
is also the most Southern, overlying the "South Pole". Scarcely
touched by humans, the frozen land boasts breathtaking scenery,
broken by only handful of scientific bases and a "permanent"
population of scientists numbering only a few thousand. Visitors to
Antarctica generally must brave rough sea crossings aboard
ice-strengthened vessels, but those who do are rewarded with
amazing scenery and tremendous and unique wildlife.

Understand

Although several countries have laid claim to various portions
of Antarctica, it is governed by the 1958 Antarctic Treaty, which
establishes the continent as a peaceful and cooperative
international research zone. There are no cities per se, just some
two dozen research stations with a total population ranging from
1000-4000 depending on the time of year. These are maintained for
scientific purposes only, and do not provide any official support
for tourism. The laws of the nation operating each research station
apply there.

Private travel to Antarctica generally takes one of three forms:
1) commercial sea voyages with shore visits (by far the most
popular), 2) specially mounted land expeditions, or 3) sightseeing
by air. Approximately 80 companies belong to the International
Association of Antarctica Tour Operators [1], a membership organization
which regulates non-research travel to the region. In the 2005-2006
summer season, an estimated 26,250 people visited Antarctica or the
surrounding waters.

Flora and fauna

Antarctica is notable for being the only continent with no
significant land plant life and no native land mammals, reptiles,
or amphibians. (There are no polar bears; they are only at the
North Pole.) However its shoreline serves as nesting
ground for many species of migratory birds and penguins, and the
Southern Ocean surrounding it is home to many fish and marine
mammals, including whales.

Landscape

Don't be fooled by all the ice: Antarctica is a desert. The
region's moisture is all tied up in frigid seawater and the huge
sheets, shelves, and packs of ice which cover nearly all of the
continent plus surrounding waters. There is little snowfall here,
and even less rain.

Climate

For tourists, Antarctica is accessible only during the austral
summer season from November to March, during which
sea ice melts enough to allow access, coastal temperatures can rise
up to highs of 14ºC (57ºF) and there are twenty four hours of
daylight. During the winter the sea is impassable. Temperatures can
fall to -40ºC and there are twenty four hours of darkness.

The above temperatures apply to the islands and coastal regions
that tourists ordinarily visit. Temperatures in the interior, such
as the South Pole, are
far harsher, with summer highs of around -15ºC (5ºF) and winter
lows plummeting to -80ºC (-112ºF).

Read

For most people, reading about Antarctica is the only affordable
means of experiencing the continent. Books range from wild works of
fiction to non-fiction accounts of the extraordinary early missions
of adventurers looking to conquer Earth's last land frontier.

At the Mountains of Madness — the earliest science
fiction/horror story to take place on the continent, written by
H.P. Lovecraft, detailing the adventures of a geological expedition
to Antarctic Mountains, where the researchers discover something so
inconceivable that they lose their minds

Endurance : Shackleton's Incredible Voyage, by Alfred
Lansing

Endurance, by Caroline Alexander

A First-Rate Tragedy: Robert Falcon Scott & the Race to the
South Pole, by Diana Preston

Mawson's Will, by Lennard Bickel

North Pole, South Pole: Journeys to the Ends of the Earth, by
Bertrand Imbert

Scott's Last Expedition: The Journals, by Robert F. Scott and
Beryl Bainbridge

East
Antarctica
the Eastern Hemisphere's vast icy desert wasteland that makes up
most of the continent is probably the least well known to tourists,
but there are a few interesting destinations, including Mawson's
Huts, and the Southern Pole of Inaccessibility

Ross
Sea
the principal destination for cruise ships leaving Australia and New Zealand has some of
Antarctica's most impressive sights around volcanic Ross Island and
the huge Transantarctic Mountain Chain

South
Pole
Unlike its northern cousin, the South Pole sits upon stationary
ground, and therefore supports a permanent research station and a
ceremonial "pole"

West
Antarctica
With the exception of the Antarctic Peninsula, West Antarctica is
barren and empty, even of research stations (except for the Brunt
Ice Shelf), but it does contain the continent's highest &
lowest points, the former of which you can climb on a guided
expedition

The primary destinations for those visiting Antarctica will
either be a research base (for those working on the frozen
continent) or the Antarctic Peninsula or Ross Sea area (for those
visiting by ship). Other destinations are reachable only by those
blessed with extreme motivation and (most importantly) funding.

Southern pole of inaccessibility — the furthest place in
Antarctica from the Southern Sea (in other words the hardest place
to get to in the world), home to an abandoned Soviet station, which
although covered by snow, still bears a visible gold Lenin bust
sprouting from the snow and facing Moscow (if you can find a way inside the
building, there's a golden visitor book to sign)

Anver Island / Anvord Bay — if any
part of Antarctica is "touristy," this is it, home to Palmer
Station (U.S.), the museum at Port
Lockroy, Cuverville Island, and the only two cruise ship stops on
the continent: Paradise Bay and Neko Harbor

South Shetland Islands — another set of major attractions on
the Antarctic Peninsula cruise ship
circuit, including: penguins and hot springs at Deception Island,
Hannah Point, Half Moon Island, Aitcho Islands, Artigas Base
(Uruguay), and the
ever friendly Polish
researchers at Arctowski Station

Mawson's Huts — the small encampment of Sir Douglas Mawson's
ill-fated Australian Antarctic Expedition, of which he was the sole
survivor, at Cape Denison, Commonwealth Bay

Talk

The native languages of the nations operating bases are used.
English is the lingua franca used between different stations.

Get in

By plane

Aircraft and pilots need to be capable of landing on ice, snow,
or gravel runways, as there are no paved runways. Landings are
generally restricted to the daylight season (Summer months
from October to March). Winter landings have been performed at
Williams Field but low temperatures mean that aircraft cannot stay
on the ice longer than an hour or so as their skis may freeze to
the ice runway. Travel is normally by military aircraft, as part of
the cargo. Passengers should anticipate carrying all their own
luggage and may need to assist with freight as well.

Major landing fields include:

Williams Field - Serves McMurdo Station and
Scott Base.

Pegasus Blue-Ice Runway - Serves McMurdo
Station and Scott Base.

Annual Sea-Ice Runway - Serves McMurdo Station
and Scott Base.

Commercial overflights to Antarctica are limited - a handful of
operators offer flights from Sydney, Melbourne, and Punta Arenas. These flights typically
visit Antarctica and spend several hours flying over the ice.
Passengers in most seating classes rotate their position in the row
halfway into the flight, to give everyone a window or
one-over-from-window seat for half of the time. Rates range from
$5199 for first class, to $1399 for partially-obstructed-view
economy class, or $899 for non-rotating center-section seats with
window access depending on the courtesy of better-seated travelers.
Keep in mind that these flights involve substantial risk: a
successful search-and-rescue mission would be all but impossible in
the event of a crash, which is what happened to one Air New Zealand
flight in 1979. Due to a combination of low flying altitude and a
navigational error, they hit Mount Erebus on Ross Island and all
257 people aboard were killed.

Boat is the most common method of visiting the Antarctic. In the
Antarctic summer, several companies offer excursions on ice
strengthened vessels to Antarctica. Ice strengthened (not quite as
tough as icebreakers) boats are preferred since icebreakers are
round on the bottom -- a configuration that amplifies the already
massive wave action in the Drake passage. The ships typically offer
a couple of excursions to the continent (usually the Antarctic
peninsula) or Antarctic islands (e.g., Deception Island, Aitcho
Island) each day over the course of a week. The views are
phenomenal, the penguins are friendly (well, some of them are), and
the experience is one that is unparalleled!

When traveling by boat, be aware that smaller ships (typically
carrying 50-100 passengers) can go where the big ships can't,
getting you up closer to Antarctica's nature and wildlife. Larger
vessels (carrying as many as 1200 people) are less prone to rough
seas but have more limited landing options. Many vessels include
naturalist guided hikes, zodiac excursions and sea kayaking right
from the ship, perfect for active, casual travelers.

You'll need warm clothing: boots, hoods, glove, water repellent
pants, parka and warm underwear. Most of these items can be bought
or hired in Ushaia, but sometimes - in the high season - it is not
always easy to get the right sizes. So bring whatever you can from
your own stock.

It must also be remembered that cruise operators typically only
allow 100 people on land at any one time in order to comply with
IAATO agreements. Consequently if you are in a boat with more than
200 people the chances are you will only spend a couple of hours at
most per day off ship. Generally the smaller ships will try to
ensure 2 different locations per day around Antarctica, although
this is of course dependent on the weather and you may expect a 60%
success rate on landing people for any given visit.

Companies offering cruises to Antarctica include:

Abercrombie & Kent, USA, [2]. Full
member of International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators
(IAATO) with 20 years of Antarctica operating experience, providing
enrichment and educational programs.

Adventure Life, [3].
Members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour
Operators (IAATO), their small-ship Antarctica expeditions have
been featured in ForbesLife and the New York Times.

AdventureSmith Antarctica Cruises, [4]. Award
winning small ship cruise specialists, they work only with ships
carrying 100 passengers or less.

Bark Europa, [5]. A square rigged sailing
ship offering 22 day trips to Antarctica and other Sub Antarctic
destinations like South Georgia and Tristan da
Cunha.

Cheesemans Ecology Safaris, [6]. Offers a trip nearly every
year that includes three days in the Falklands, a week on South
Georgia, and eight days on the Antarctic Peninsula. Their trips are
expensive but are some of the best for maximizing onshore time.
They have also done Ross Sea trips in past years.

Gap Adventures, [7].
Operates trips on their ship: the 'M/S Expedition' The maximum
number of passengers is 120 and the there are by lectures by staff
and naturalists on board.

Haka Expeditions, [8].Cruises and Air
Cruises to Antarctica and South Georgia.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, [9].Members of the
International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO),
their small expedition ships have the highest ice class ranking for
cruise ships, and each vessel offers 4-5 cruises to Antarctica
between December and March every year, including Antarctic
peninsula, South Shetland Islands, Falkland Islands, South Georgia,
and the Weddell Sea.

Journeys International, [10].
Provides small ship exploration cruises to the Falkland Islands,
South Georgia, South Shetlands, the Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctic
Circle and the Weddell and Ross Seas.

Lindblad Expeditions, [11]. Offers multiple trips
to the Antarctic Peninsula and longer trips which include the
Falklands, South Georgia, and the South Orkneys aboard the National
Geographic Endeavour.

Quark Expeditions, [12]. Offers
everything from month-long semi-circumnavigation trips to week-long
explorations of the Antarctic peninsula, on former Russian
ice-breakers and expedition ships.

About a dozen charter sailboats, many of them members of IAATO,
offer three to six week voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula from
South America. Most offer "expedition style" trips where guests are
invited to help out, although usually no prior sailing experience
is required. Yachts take individuals on a "by the bunk" basis and
also support private expeditions such as scientific research,
mountaineering, kayaking, and film-making. Compared to the more
popular cruse ships, a small yacht can be more work and
significantly less comfortable, but typically allows more freedom
and flexibility. For the right people this can be a far more
rewarding experience.

Spirit of Sydney, [17] Australians, Darrel
and Cath, own and operate Spirit of Sydney, an expedition support
yacht perfectly suited to meet and exceed the requirements of Film
Crews, Mountaineers, Skiers and Snowboarders, Sea Kayakers, Dry
suit Divers, Scientists, Sailors of all experience levels, Whale
Watchers and Adventurers of all kinds. They typically carry kayaks
on board, and offer both private charters and group trips for
individuals.

Ponies, sledges and dogs, skis, tractors, snow cats (and similar
tracked vehicles) and aircraft including helicopters and ski planes
have all been used to get around Antarctica. Cruise ships use
zodiac boats to ferry tourists from ship to shore in small groups.
Bring your own fuel and food, or arrange supplies in advance. You
cannot purchase fuel or food on the continent. Cruise ships come
fully prepared with landing transport, food, etc. Some (but not
all) even provide cold-weather clothing.

Sleep

Antarctica has 24-hour sunshine during the southern hemisphere
summer. Visitors should ensure that they take steps to keep regular
sleeping hours as continuous daylight disturbs the body clock.
There are no hotels or lodges on the continent, and research bases
will not generally house guests. Most visitors sleep on board their
boat, although land expeditions will use tents for shelter.

Work

It is possible to obtain employment with scientific expeditions
in Antarctica. Induction and training need to be undertaken prior
to departure for Antarctica.

The following agencies are responsible for staffing bases in
Antarctica:

Raytheon Polar Services, [21]. Agency responsible for staffing all United
States Antarctic bases. Applicants can apply through the web site
or at one of the Antarctic job fairs held around the
country.edit

British Antarctic Survey, [22].
The British Antarctic Survey staffs bases
in the Antarctic and surround region including the Falklands and South
Georgia.edit

Stay safe

As most visitors to Antarctica will arrive by boat, the greatest
dangers occur due to storms at sea. The weather in the Southern
Ocean is nature at its most extreme, with the potential for
hurricane force winds and waves as high as 60-70 feet (18-23
meters). With modern safety and ship design the odds of sinking are
low, but the odds of being thrown about by a wave are high. Every
year numerous people die or are seriously injured
during the crossing to and from the continent. When on a boat in
rough weather always make sure that you have at least one secure
handhold, and avoid opening doors during storms as a sudden shift
in the waves can easily bring a heavy door crashing back onto a
body part. In severe weather stay in your cabin and wait for the
storm to subside.

Weather on the continent is equally extreme, although most
visitors pack appropriate gear. For expeditions there are limited
search-and-rescue options, so expeditions must plan for all
contingencies. There is no formal government or legal system in
Antarctica, but the laws of the country of origin or departure as
well as those of a claimant government may apply. Rules regarding
protection of the environment and of historical sites will be
strictly enforced, and fines can be extreme.

Also note that when visiting Antarctica that a hospital is
usually days away. Most ships and research
stations have a doctor, but facilities are limited. In cases where
evacuation is required (if even possible), costs can run into the
tens of thousands of dollars. Those with pre-existing conditions
should strongly consider the risks of venturing into a land where
medical help may not be available prior to embarking on an
Antarctic journey.

Stay healthy

Antarctica has an extreme environment. The cold is a major
health hazard. Visitors should be properly prepared and equipped
for any visit. Waterproof and windproof gloves, coat, pants, and
boots are an absolute necessity. Other necessities that are often
overlooked include sunscreen and sunglasses - summertime visitors
will be exposed to the sun's rays from above and from reflections
off of snow, ice, and water. Additionally, for those arriving by
boat seasickness medicine is strongly encouraged - even the most
seaworthy individual will feel queasy in a severe storm; check with
your doctor before visiting to determine what medicine is
appropriate.

Respect

Antarctica has a very fragile environment. Pollution should be
avoided if at all possible. Expeditions should anticipate the need
to remove all waste from the continent when they leave.
Waste disposal and sewage facilities on the continent are severely
limited and restricted to permanent installations. Of particular
concern to tourists is the danger of introducing foreign organisms
into the fragile Antarctic environment. Many tour operators will
require visitors to do a boot wash after every landing to avoid
carrying seeds or other items from one location to another. In
addition, visitors should examine all clothing prior to embarking
to avoid bringing any plant or animal material to the Antarctic;
invasive species have devastated many regions of the planet, so it
is particularly important to protect Antarctica from this
danger.

The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators
(IAATO) is a voluntary organization of tour operators which
promotes safe and environmentally responsible tourism in
Antarctica. It publishes standards for member tour operators on
responsible practices for private visitors to Antarctica. [23]

This is a usable article. It gives a good
overview of the region, its sights, and how to get in, as well as
links to the main destinations, whose articles are similarly well
developed. An adventurous person could use this article, but please
plunge forward and help it grow!